he said, "son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces" [open]

[qunari]

WHO: The Iron Bull and YOU (open)
WHAT: Wicked Grace
WHEN: Afternoon and Evening of Firstfall 19
WHERE: Skyhold, in The Herald's Rest
NOTES: The practice rounds in the afternoon are one-on-one. The game in the evening for veterans will be party style, and we'll keep it to five total to make it manageable. If more than that want to play, we can start a second thread. Questions? PM me or ping me on plurk.

Afternoon

Well. Turned out more than a few of the Rifts were game to try their hand at the latest proposed form of distraction. And hey, Bull wasn't so bad of a teacher. Kind of fell in line with his nature, in a way. So all those newcomers who wanted to learn the ins and outs of Wicked Grace without gambling away what little they'd brought with them? Had access to a private training ground of sorts. A couple of tables set up near the back of the tavern, and a few of the Chargers who'd volunteered to help -- the more sociable of his merry band, anyway -- and anyone asking could easily be directed back to where Bull was shuffling up the cards, and nodding in welcome to those who approached.

"Hey. Glad you could make it. Pull up a chair, and we'll get started."




Evening

Playtime was over.

As the sky darkened and the fires in the tavern burned brighter, the booze started to circulate. Coins rattled in purses, and those who knew the game well enough were invited to come play for real stakes. No more taking it easy. Bull fully expected the best game out of those who came, or at least an entertaining one.

Maybe someone would drag a few of their stiffer companions along for a round or two. Cullen, for example. Man could use a break like no one could. But chances of that were admittedly slim, and they'd make it work, no matter who showed up.

Comments

afternoon;

[foxsays]

Still using her cane in the tavern - it's a good insurance policy against drunk people - it doesn't take very long for Araceli to locate Bull. Antiva was a long time ago (both times) but missions never exactly count when her head is in the game so this feels long overdue as she hooks the handle over the edge of the table with a look. Maybe she even mutters for it to stay before she carefully takes a seat without casually swinging herself into it the way she would.

The leg is almost back to normal, for once in her life she's not going to hamper it.

"Hola, I'm looking forward to a distraction." And if she's here in the afternoon then maybe she just needs a little reminder that the lyrium didn't eat all of her wits.

[qunari]

"Well, you came to the right place."

The lines of Bull's battle-worn face crease in a smile as he gestures to an empty seat, of which there appear to be quite a few. "Rifter, right? You know how the game works?"

He's not entirely sure, but he's seen her face around for quite a long while. And hey, keeping an eye on Korrin means he's seen her more than a few times. So, it's possible someone's taught her along the way.

No sense not offering, though. She's not sitting in with the vets.

[foxsays]

Raising her left hand a little as answer to the first part, Araceli nods before she takes a moment to cast her mind back to when she actually did play the game. Her own Wicked Grace cards are bookmarks just now, and she has no idea what Twisted Fate would think of that if he knew.

"I had the rules taught to me a while back but I haven't played since I got back from Craintellier." That's a nice neutral way to put it. Sounds better than the longer version and it is the truth, in a roundabout sort of way. "You let people know they gamble where you come from and they want to learn all your games instead."

Not that she minds - the scouts pick it up quickly and she has a challenge, the soldiers don't so she's never short of money.

[qunari]

"So, due for a refresher course, then."

Better than having to explain the rules in full to a newbie. But she seems a little keen for a newbie. Got sharp eyes, a clever mouth. She's got the face for bluffing. But pretending he doesn't know better works just as well.

One scarred hand gestures to the deck.

"We can go ahead and throw in, if you think you just need to work the rust off."

sorry i've been super sick and i couldn't get tags to happen

[foxsays]

"Absolutely."

And because she isn't here to be cheap, she slips one hand into a pocket - one of many, but one of the more visible of them - to set down a few silvers to start with. One eyebrow goes up because they're not playing for something in particular yet and wearing the impassive bard face doesn't work for her at the card table. Maybe it should but she spent way too many years knowing how to do this that she'd give things away from discomfort alone.

"Tell me not to if I slip into what sounds like Antivan to you, people have been letting me slide into habits I shouldn't get too comfortable in around everyone and their mother."